Six Moon Designs Swift ’10: Another Look…

LOL! WTB: Coffee

Brandon,

Loved the videos. I just purchased a SMD Swift '10 pack today and from the videos I can tell it is going to more than meet my needs in a light weight pack. Although you did only get 7 lbs of coffee in there…that is only about couple of days worth for me!

You'll need every inch of that wide hipbelt carrying 7lbs. of liquid crack and gear. There has to be trafficking laws against that somewhere! Great videos, very informative and it's nice to see different angles and features of the pack. I've only viewed a few still images to and I'll likely never see this pack in person unless I purchase one, don't plan on that anytime soon. Looks like an excellent pack though.

haha the coffee is supposed to simulate food and water weight and space. since i work at starbucks though i have an even better stockpile of VIA.

Simulate food and water? Coffee IS my food and water!

BTW, I'm glad this pack is finally getting some more lip-service than just in the thread I had started about it.

Travis,

That's right…coffee is the most important food group!

What would I do without VIA!? I definitely would have to debate even bringing coffee, as blasphemous as that may be. VIA saved my coffee drinking life, I usually use about 2-3 packages per cup of coffee though in my Titan kettle, which makes for a pretty potent and expensive cup of brew. For the fast and light short duration trips I typically take it's worth it.

What are your thoughts Brandon on the oversized hipbelt? Is it too much belt? It seems this pack is a clear competitor to the Prophet and Conduit, which have much smaller hipbelts. For the weight that this pack is intended to carry, is that much wrap around and width necessary? How is load transfer? Also, how does the pack feel while hiking up hill, any issues high stepping? It sure looks comfortable.

Great videos……thanks for that.

Those hip belt pockets are like Snoopy's dog house!

And, hey, a twinkie and 7 lbs of coffee?

You dip the Twinkie in the coffee grounds.

Someone with 5% body fat and hip bones pointing out might dislike it however as a fairly trim guy I love the hip belt. I think the lack of padding in the hip belt allows it to conform more to your body better than a more rigid padded hip belt which can create pressure on the hip bones. The big belt also allows the pockets to be so accessible and voluminous. I wouldnt change it.

Thinking about the changes Travis made while hiking I dont think they are necessary. The thick belt strap versus the Osprey design is a toss up but may be slightly beneficial comfort-wise. Also I never found myself wanting load lifters.

The pack hugs the back and transfers the load wonderfully, but I assume this varies depending on the pad one uses. My cut down Ridgerest in as big a pad as you can fit in there. I you were using an inflatable I am guessing load transfer and max load limit would be reduced. I cant test this though since I dont have one.

FWIW it gives me that "im proud of owning this" feeling that compels me to show it off.

Brandon,
You're right about the hipbelt mod. That's pretty much a toss-up. With the load lifters, they are much more useful when the pack is really full, especially with the collar extension. With a minimal load, they help, but not as much–at least for me. But, as we all know, pack fit is so personal! Nice videos BTW.

Hi there!

I am a UK backpacker and would call myself pretty light rather than ultralight. Currently, I am using an OMM Villain rucksack (weighing in at 35oz, having been butchered by me). My base, packed weight, without food is 183oz or 5.2kg.

Perhaps given the weather in the UK, most UL backpackers have double-skin tents rather than tarps etc so the average base weight, I would suggest, will be higher than on BPL. However, as the movement towards UL increases, I suspect more and more people will start getting US stuff – most of the UL online stores are stocking Western Mountaineering, Big Agnes (great UL double skin tents), Integral Designs etc. It's not that easy to get BMW, SMD and Gossamer Gear without importing it! Still, we're taking advantage of the BPL movement in the US.

My questions with regard to the Swift are these:

Are the shoulder straps padded? The OMM Villain has padding (have a look at OMM's website) – I have slightly protruding collarbones so they tend to get bruised even with a light pack so I want to reduce this if possible but I have learned to deal with it).
Does the exterior purport to be be waterproof – I have a IG silnylon cover if not?
Does anyone know if SMD will send to the UK and if there is a cheap way to import it in? (I have emailed them but just thought I'd throw it out there).

Thanks and great to say hi!

Maz.

Andrew, welcome!

The shoulder straps are padded.

The Dyneema ripstop used in the main body is waterproof, but I'm not sure of the material used for the rolltop closure. The backpanel is most definitely not waterproof since it's designed to wick moisture away from your back. Even if all the material was waterproof, the seams are still an issue, and seam sealing just doesn't work that well in backpacks. Therefore, in any backpack, either a waterproof liner, pack cover, or waterproof stuff sacks are necessary.

Don't know about international shipping with SMD, but Ron will answer your questions very quickly. If not, occasionally a US member will buy gear and ship it internationally for other members. I've seen it done a few times. IME, any BPL Member can be faithfully trusted.

Oh, and why do I always hear people from the UK complaining about their crappy weather? In the 13 hours I once spent in Heathrow, the weather was warm, sunny, and beautiful! : )

(you'll also find a few of us who often insert tongue-in-cheek comments)

Your recollection of your time in Heathrow is clearly affected by the mind-numbing effect of that heinous place. There is no such thing as "sunny and beautiful" in Heathrow – only misery and obnoxious security staff – it's a wonder anyone visits the UK if they come through Heathrow!

The weather is not bad in the UK per se – it's just that in the National Parks that have mountainous areas (Snowdonia, the Lake District and the Scottish National Parks) there is often the risk of rain at any time. Consequently, we all seem to have serious tents rather than tarps and keep an eye to the rain and wind.

and Gatwick for that matter…

If you are ever stuck in either for hours on end — like I was between 1am and 8am back in 2003 — DO NOT sprawl out across chairs or on the floor in the lounge area:

1. It's unsightly — you are not a walrus.
2. The incessant broadcasting (do not leave your things unattended, blah, blah, blah) makes sleeping impossible and will just drive you mad.

Instead, do what I did. Head for the Prayer Room and simply turn out the lights! Totally dark. Totally quiet. Slumber heaven.

I just found the pack that I want! Thanks for taking the time and doing the video Brandon! I appreciate it.

yep, if a BPL member ships it to you and lists it with a value of $30 usd or less, customs wont even bother with it.

i just purchased the swift today, and will give any applicable comments in the near future.

as a side note, i have used and abused SMD gear many times, and i dont get why they are often overlooked in favor of other ul tarp-tents and packs. they can certainly hold their own.